How Can I Get a Trachea Shave?

[SubspaceCroc]

So, quite a few things about my face bother me, but biggest is certainly my adam's apple, which unfortunately sticks out a lot. Really right now I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my transition, I live in the UK and because a lot of this will be covered by the NHS I'm on a waiting list to a gender clinic. I won't be going there until around Feb 2017 or so and I just want to try and move forwards if possible or at least get some info on things.

I know you can get a trachea shave but I'm just wondering how exactly. I know my most of my stuff will be covered by NHS but I have a feeling they only cover what they deem 'essential' and they might not deem this essential even if I do. Or do they? And I just need to keep waiting?

If not then does anyone know how I would get it done? Do I have to contact places myself or do I wait until I'm at the gender clinic and they help me sort this out, even if it's not the NHS covering it?

[Laura_7]

Concerning trach shave you could have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,208389.msg1847243.html#msg1847243

Some people cover with shawls or tubes meanwhile ... 
and some people don't mind that much ...

It is possible to choose the GIC being referred to...
there are some with fewer waiting times.
The laurels usually have a good reputation.

You might think about bridging treatment meanwhile.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,208198.msg1845578.html#msg1845578

https://gendergp.co.uk/


And there are a few other things that can be done ...
there is voice training, there are threads on that ...


hugs

[KayXo]

I have a feeling they only cover what they deem 'essential' and they might not deem this essential even if I do. Or do they?

In my opinion, a prominent adams apple should be covered and facial hair as well. In addition to SRS. These, I personally deem necessary. But life is not always fair, is it?

[Paula1]

Hi,

If you contact GIRES in Surrey, they can tell you what is and what is not available on the NHS.

See:  http://www.gires.org.uk/

Hugs

Paula

So, quite a few things about my face bother me, but biggest is certainly my adam's apple, which unfortunately sticks out a lot. Really right now I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my transition, I live in the UK and because a lot of this will be covered by the NHS I'm on a waiting list to a gender clinic. I won't be going there until around Feb 2017 or so and I just want to try and move forwards if possible or at least get some info on things.

I know you can get a trachea shave but I'm just wondering how exactly. I know my most of my stuff will be covered by NHS but I have a feeling they only cover what they deem 'essential' and they might not deem this essential even if I do. Or do they? And I just need to keep waiting?

If not then does anyone know how I would get it done? Do I have to contact places myself or do I wait until I'm at the gender clinic and they help me sort this out, even if it's not the NHS covering it?

[SubspaceCroc]

Thanks, I've been living about 8 months full time, I came out right before I went to uni. So when I got here a sort-of fresh start and stuff. There was a move from Scotland to England though, my Scottish GP couldn't refer me to an English clinic, and apparently there would be reasonably regular visits so I had to pick a clinic near-ish by. So otherwise I would have been referred a quite a bit sooner.

But when I got here I got it sorted and was referred, they were initially going to refer me to Leeds, but the waiting there is around 3 years or something crazy, so I chose Nottingham. I found this page online about the statistics of waiting times and it seems that Nottingham was my best choice really.

How does the bridging treatment work exactly? I read on the GIC guidelines a while back that if I go NHS it has to be all NHS. If I go private at any point then they wouldn't accept me, I'm scared of messing anything up really.

Edit: Thanks Paula, I will contact them soon.

[Jacqueline]

Welcome to the site. There are a lot of people with the experience to help you out.

I want to share some links with you. They have welcome info and the rules of the site. We try to pass them on to newly posting members. If you have not read them yet, please take a moment to do so:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, continue to ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Laura_7]

How does the bridging treatment work exactly? I read on the GIC guidelines a while back that if I go NHS it has to be all NHS. If I go private at any point then they wouldn't accept me, I'm scared of messing anything up really.

The NHS guidelines have been changed in 2014.
People are now able to self refer and to choose the GIC.

You may contact the link above concerning bridging treatment and get informed about possibilities.
They even provide helping material for dealing with the NHS in parallel.


hugs

[Paula1]

Hiya,

Thanks, I've been living about 8 months full time, I came out right before I went to uni. So when I got here a sort-of fresh start and stuff. There was a move from Scotland to England though, my Scottish GP couldn't refer me to an English clinic, and apparently there would be reasonably regular visits so I had to pick a clinic near-ish by. So otherwise I would have been referred a quite a bit sooner.

But when I got here I got it sorted and was referred, they were initially going to refer me to Leeds, but the waiting there is around 3 years or something crazy, so I chose Nottingham.

Yep, I know quite a few people who have chosen Nottingham and it's the best clinic overall. I was and still am, very anti Charing Cross. Their administration is a joke and I have heard of patients turning up and been told that their appointment has been cancelled without prior notice. Some of these people have come from miles away and that to me shows total contempt towards the patient, but they know they can get away with it because of who we are and that is a disgrace. Well Charing Cross GIC (thank God I don't need them anymore), I have little respect for you.

I found this page online about the statistics of waiting times and it seems that Nottingham was my best choice really.

How does the bridging treatment work exactly? I read on the GIC guidelines a while back that if I go NHS it has to be all NHS. If I go private at any point then they wouldn't accept me, I'm scared of messing anything up really.

Edit: Thanks Paula, I will contact them soon.

You are welcome and yes you must call them, they are awesome. One of my dear friends is a trustee and I know what brilliant work they do to help our community.

Hugs

Paula

[SubspaceCroc]

Thank you Laura, I have contact the gender gp link about bridging treatment and I am waiting for them to get back to me.

[Laura_7]

Thank you Laura, I have contact the gender gp link about bridging treatment and I am waiting for them to get back to me.

They usually get back soon.
They have a lot of information to help with the NHS also.


hugs

[Paula1]

Good Morning members,

Bit of a coincidence but I received this information from GIRES this morning about Charing Cross:

Dear Colleagues

The Care Quality Commission has published the report of its inspection of the London Gender Identity Clinic:

http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/new_reports/AAAF3196.pdf

Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
Registered Charity Number 1068137

info@gires.org.uk
www.gires.org.uk

Confirms some of what I was saying in my previous reply post #7 ...